diabetes mellitus

noun

diabetes mel·​li·​tus -ˈme-lə-təs How to pronounce diabetes mellitus (audio)
: a variable disorder of carbohydrate metabolism caused by a combination of hereditary and environmental factors and usually characterized by inadequate secretion or utilization of insulin, by excessive urine production, by excessive amounts of sugar in the blood and urine, and by thirst, hunger, and loss of weight compare type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes

Examples of diabetes mellitus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Her cause of death was ruled natural and was the result of complications of diabetes mellitus. — Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025 Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes mellitus — a group of diseases associated with high blood sugar, called hyperglycemia. — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 27 Feb. 2026 Michelle Trachtenberg, who played Buffy's young sister Dawn, died in February 2025 at the age of 39 from complications with diabetes mellitus. — Entertainment Weekly, 6 June 2026 According to an article from South Texas Veterinary Ophthalmology, 75 percent of dogs will develop cataracts within 12 months of a diabetes mellitus diagnosis, and blindness can progress quickly when severe or left untreated. — Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for diabetes mellitus

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin diabētēs mellītus, literally, "honey-sweet diabetes," referring to the smell and taste of sugar in the urine

Note: See note at diabetes insipidus.

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of diabetes mellitus was in 1788

Browse Nearby Words

diabetes insipidus
diabetes mellitus
diabetic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Diabetes mellitus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diabetes%20mellitus. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

diabetes mellitus

noun
diabetes mel·​li·​tus -ˈmel-ət-əs How to pronounce diabetes mellitus (audio)
: an abnormal bodily condition in which less than the normal amount of insulin is produced, greater than normal amounts of urine are produced, and large amounts of sugar are contained in the blood and urine and which is marked especially by thirst, hunger, and loss of weight

Medical Definition

diabetes mellitus

noun
diabetes mel·​li·​tus -ˈmel-ət-əs How to pronounce diabetes mellitus (audio)
: a variable disorder of carbohydrate metabolism caused by a combination of hereditary and environmental factors and usually characterized by inadequate secretion or utilization of insulin, by excessive urine production, by excessive amounts of sugar in the blood and urine, and by thirst, hunger, and loss of weight see type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes

More from Merriam-Webster on diabetes mellitus

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about diabetes mellitus

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